2008 Olympic Torch Relay - London

Last Sunday, 6th April, was snowing in the morning then after that the Olympic Torch Relay started at Wembley Stadium at North West London. It is rare to see Olympic Torch passing by in front of me so I decided to go to central London to see the event, of course to see the Tibet protests as well. I arrive Oxford Circus around noon, waiting for Sugababes which will pass by, carrying the torch on an open deck bus. Then after some time waiting.....

OoooOOooOooo.... The truck in front is fully loaded with reporters and cameras which will send it live all across the globe... there is the bus!!!
Then....

It passes by in just 2 seconds.... where the hell is the torch!!!!?!???!??!?!? Can you see Sugababes? yea think so... 1 of them? maybe?
So the torch is at the other side of the damn bus...

I was so disappointed by then I ran towards the next destination nearby which I can see the torch in front of me more clearly, Piccadilly Circus.
After waiting patiently, the torch bearer finally appear... with massive amount of Chinese Olympic Torch Protection Squad and Polices with cycling helmets running together... =.=" The red circle in the picture is where the torch bearer is.

Fine.... next destination... Trafalgar Square...
So did you see the torch? yea... you can see them under protection of the blue guys and polices. With a Tibetan flag behind... Trafalgar Square was in chaos I tell you. Then along the street down to Big Ben/Parliament House....
Asian guy, I think is Tibetan... caught by police as of the disruptions he made to stop the torch from continuing. I ran down together with the crowd to see what is happening down there. A police officer stopped the people from going onwards to prevent disruptions of the Torch Relay... There we go, protestors.... huge amount of them gathering around near to Parliament House.
I gave up to chase the torch and went to the tube so I can get to Canary Wharf which the torch will pass by. It was around 1pm. It was too early as the people who work there said that the Torch will only arrive at 5pm. I was like... O.O"

So I hang around Canary Wharf for like 1 and half hours then decide to visit the O2 which is the final destination. Took photos of it but will post up later (maybe) then waited for around 2 more hours... That was horrible. It was freezing and there is no warm place to sit, except Starbucks in The O2, which is jammed packed with people.

In Around 4.30pm, people start to show up and there was a big screen showing.....
Sugababes were unable to perform due to Amelle's illness... =.=" WHAT!! So they disappoint me again, first on the bus now here. Anyway, I continue stay there so to see the Torch arrive. There were some performances by some random people who I don't really know who they are.

and protestors.... again.

Live TV broadcasting....

The arrival of the Torch on the boat heading towards the pier near to The O2.
While the Torch bearer jog towards the stage from the pier, fireworks were released as you can see from the background and live broadcast on the screen.

The Torch arrives on stage...

Lit up the giant torch.

After some anonymous VIP talks, this Chinese old chap starts to talk... then....
This was shown on the screen when he was talking.... so sarcastic...
Anyway, after he talks, then some souvenirs exchange among the VIPs and such, it's time to keep the fire in the lantern

done....

Then bringing it to the next destination, Paris....

Then Monday during the relay in Paris... same protests happen again.... sigh~~ controversial.

Anyway, that's my coverage of the 2008 Olympics Torch Relay in London.